Testimonials

"I have often thought of Hillside School and how grateful we are to you and all of the teachers for having helped get [our son] on his way...we have started to settle into the confidence that [our son] will really be ok and that he will be able to take care of himself and be successful in his endeavors. A sincere thank you to you and the entire staff at Hillside School."

- Former Parents 

 - Current Parent

 “As a returning student of Hillside, I can proudly say that I have grown over the past few years. Not just academically, but socially I have learned and experienced so much during the 2 years of my Hillside life. In my first year of school, I had trouble getting used to the new environment. It was totally different from where I lived. Staying away from home was also uneasy. Thinking back, the people who have kept me from breaking down were my wonderful peers.”

- 8th grade student

 “I always enjoy being at the farm and I love making sure that all the animals are doing well. The farm is so important to me that, even when I am not on Eco-Team, I volunteer over vacations to help with the animals. To me, the farm is a very important part of Hillside”

- 5th Grade Student

 “Hillside is magical! I sent [my son]’s report card to my father, and he and I teared up as we read the comments that his teachers wrote. He has had a drastic and an incredibly positive change of course compared to his previous school… his change in attitude and willingness is miraculous!

My son has felt safe, respected, and nurtured at Hillside. He has latched on to some wonderfully strong, caring and capable men who are healthy role models and he is soaking it all up!”

- Current Parent

 “Hillside has granted me the opportunity to meet other young men from around the globe. I’ve learned about so many different cultures in my four years here. In seventh grade I met a boy from Bermuda - honestly, I hadn’t know about Bermuda until I met [him]! Without this school I would not be the same person I am today.”

- 9th Grade Student

 “I care deeply about the school. I feel that Hillside is like a second family to me. Even though I am a fifth grader, I enjoy taking a lead in school activities in and out of the classroom.”

- 5th Grade Student

 “Since I have been at Hillside, I am so much more confident in my studies because there is much more attention given to me. While the many hours I spend in the car traveling to and from school can be hard, I am very confident that Hillside is where I want to be.

My compassion, leadership and determination make me a true ‘Hillsider’. ”

- 7th Grade Student

 “I have had dyslexia for my whole life and now that I’ve come to Hillside I’m really starting to get the hang of reading and doing homework. My mom used to help me with all my homework, but now I can do a lot of it on my own...I am determined to be a fluent reader and to prove that I can make it somewhere.”

- 8th Grade Student

 “ I love participating in chapel services and community service. I have participated in every single chapel service throughout the school year and I love sharing my Muslim religion with the other students in our community. I also like to participate in it because there aren’t that many people in our community who are Muslim or know much about it, so I like saying the prayers and educating them.

The chapel is an area where I feel like I can share my opinions and experiences and am not embarrassed. “

- 8th Grade Student

 “When I first arrived [at Hillside] my English skills were limited; having a conversation itself was a challenge for me. For some of us in the class, social interactions held the greatest challenge. For others academics or athletics were the greatest of challenges. Each challenge offered growth and none of use here are the same as we were before coming to Hillside. It was our ability to come through stronger than before that has transformed us.”

- Student at Graduation